The City of Foley could have several new council members after the August 26 municipal elections, with four of the five council seats being contested.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich is not being challenged. He said what is challenging is urging voters to the polls. While local elections typically have low voter turnout, Hellmich urged residents to let their voices be heard.
“People need to please get out and vote,” Hellmich said. “We have one voting place for all of Foley. There’s not a lot of people who vote in municipal elections. It will not be like presidential elections. There will not be lines out the door. We only have about 12% to 15% of the people vote, which is not acceptable. We need more people.”
Out of the 20,335 residents in 2020, over 16,000 residents were of voting age. However, only 1,260 cast votes in that year’s municipal elections.
Votes from council members may determine important decisions, including roads, improvements and development.
Seats for four of the five city council districts are contested in the 2025 elections.
Roddy Burkle is unopposed in his run for the District 3 City Council seat.
The following seats are being contested:
District 1
Barry Hughes
Wayne Trawick (I)District 2
Donald Barnett
Timothy "Tim" Lower
Vera Quaites (I)District 4
Larry Engel
Phillip HinesleyDistrict 5
Charles Ebert III (I)
Derrick Perdue
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